Block combinable with other similar blocks to form a wall, and related systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A block combinable with other similar blocks to form a wall comprises a front surface; a top surface including a plurality of bosses, two or more of which are located adjacent each other in a direction along the front surface; and a bottom surface including a groove that has a floor. Each of the two or more bosses of the top surface includes a summit, and the summit of each define a plane. When the block is placed on another similar block such that the bottom surface of the block and a top surface of the other similar block oppose each other to form an interface region, the groove holds two or more bosses of the other similar block that are included in the other similar block&#39;s top surface, and the floor does not intersect the plane defined by the two or more bosses of the other similar block.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 12/658,413, currently pending, filed on 10 Feb. 2010, titled ABlock Combinable With Other Similar Blocks To Form A Wall, and RelatedSystems and Methods, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Many retaining walls—walls constructed to prevent son, rock and/or othermaterials from moving to an undesired location—now include a geogridcoupled to the wall that extends into the son, rock and/or othermaterials to help retain the materials. Frequently, such retaining wallsare constructed from blocks that are placed on top of each other. Withthe use of such blocks, one has a great degree of flexibility in thefinal design of the wall, such as the height of the wall, the length ofthe wall, and the curvature of the wall. The geogrid frequently coupledto such was is typically a screen mesh made of plastic rods thatintersect each other (typically at 90°) and are spaced apart, as desiredto provide the desired support for the average particulate size of thematerial retained by the wall.

To couple the geogrid to the wall, a portion of the geogrid is typicallyplaced between two or more blocks of the wall and held between theblocks by friction between the geogrid and the blocks. For example, FIG.1 shows a perspective, partial cut-away view of a conventional retainingwall 20 that has a geogrid 22 coupled to it. The wall 20 includes aplurality of blocks 24 stacked on top of each other. To couple thegeogrid 22 to the wall 20, a portion of the geogrid 26 is insertedbetween some of the blocks 24. The geogrid 22 is held in place by thefriction between the geogrid portion 26 and the blocks 24 above theportion 26 and the blocks 24 below the portion 26

Unfortunately, coupling the geogrid 22 to the wall 20 in this manneroften doesn't secure the geogrid 20 to the wall 20 well enough. If amoderate amount of pressure is exerted on the geogrid in the directionshown by the arrow 28, or exerted on the wall 20 in the direction shownby the arrow 30, the portion 26 of the geogrid 22 may move relative tothe blocks 24 immediately above and below the portion 26. This may beespecially true when the wall 20 is short in height, because with such awall the friction between the portion 26 and the blocks 24 issignificantly reduced relative to a taller wall. The friction issignificantly reduced because the amount of weight provided by theblocks 24 above the portion 26 of the geogrid 22 is much less for ashort wall relative to a tall wall.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, a block that can be combined with othersimilar blocks to form a wall comprises a front surface; a top surfaceincluding a plurality of bosses, two or more of which are locatedadjacent each other in a direction along the front surface; and a bottomsurface including a groove that has a floor. Each of the two or morebosses of the top surface includes a summit, and the summit of eachdefine a plane. When the block is placed on another similar block suchthat the bottom surface of the block and a top surface of the othersimilar block oppose each other to form an interface region, the grooveholds two or more bosses of the other similar block that are included inthe other similar block's top surface, and the floor does not intersectthe plane defined by the two or more bosses of the other similar block.

With the bosses 52 held by the groove 56, the force generated byfriction between the geogrid 42 and the block 44 that includes thegroove 56, and by friction between the geogrid 42 and the other block 44that includes the bosses 52, is greater than the force generated byfriction between the geogrid 22 (FIG. 1) and the conventional blocks 24(FIG. 1). Because the force generated by friction opposes movement ofthe geogrid relative to the blocks 44, as the force increases it becomesmore difficult for the geogrid to be uncoupled from the wall 40. Andwith the floor of the groove 56 not intersecting the plane defined bythe summits of the bosses 52, more of the geogrid 42 that is placedbetween the blocks 44 contacts the blocks 44 to generate friction.Furthermore, the geogrid 42 can be disposed between a groove 56 of oneblock 44 and the boss 52 of another block 44 and remain flat (not curveto form a bump or mound) as the geogrid 42 extends away from the blocks44.

In another aspect of the invention, a block that can be combined withother similar blocks to form a wall comprises a top surface having ananterior region that includes a boss, and a posterior region thatincludes a slot, a bottom surface having an anterior region thatincludes a receptacle, and a coupler to couple a geogrid to the block.When the block is placed on another similar block such that the bottomsurface of the block and the top surface of the other similar blockoppose each other to form an interface region, the receptacle holds aboss of the other similar block's top surface. To couple a geogrid tothe block, a portion of the coupler is inserted through a portion of thegeogrid and then into the slot in the posterior region of the topsurface.

With the coupler inserted into the slot, the geogrid can be coupled to ablock without generating friction between the geogrid and the block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of a conventional walland a geogrid coupled to the wall.

FIG. 2 is a perspective, partial cut away view of a wall and a geogridcoupled to the wall, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a block included in the wallshown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a block similar to the block shown inFIG. 4, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wall shown in FIG.2, illustrating two blocks each shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a geogridcoupled to them, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of a block included in the wallshown in FIG. 2, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a block similar to the block shown inFIG. 7, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wall shown in FIG.2, illustrating two blocks each shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and a geogridcoupled to them, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the coupler shown in FIG. 10, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 is a perspective, partial cut-away view of a wall 40 and ageogrid 42 coupled to the wall 40, according to an embodiment of theinvention. The wall 40 is shown as a retaining wall but may be othertypes of walls, such as a freestanding wall, and a load bearing wall,both of which, may or may not include a geogrid to stabilize/retain soilor other materials adjacent the wall 40. The wall 40 includes a block 44(discussed in greater detail in conjunction with (FIGS. 3-5) and a block46 (discussed in greater detail in conjunction with (FIGS. 7-9), eachaccording to an embodiment of the invention. The blocks 44 and 46 aretypically concrete, but may also be or include other materials such assteel or stone. Although the wall 40 is shown to include each of the twodifferent blocks 44 and 46, the wall 40 may include blocks 44 only, orblocks 46 only. The geogrid 42 may be coupled to the blocks 44(discussed in greater detail in conjunction with (FIG. 6), and to blocks46 (discussed in greater derail in conjunction with (FIGS. 10 and 11).When the geogrid 42 is coupled to the blocks 44, friction between thegeogrid 42 and the lower block 44, and between the geogrid 42 and theupper block 44, which is similar to the lower block 44, holds thegeogrid 42 to the wall 40. And when the geogrid 42 is coupled to theblocks 46, a coupler 48 (discussed in greater detail in conjunction withFIG. 11) holds the geogrid 42 to the block 42, and thus the wall 40.

The block 44 includes a top surface 50 that includes a plurality ofbosses 52 (here eight but the block 44 may include more or fewer thaneight), and a bottom surface 54 that includes a groove 56. As discussedin greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 3-6, each of the eightbosses 52 includes a summit (reference labels omitted for clarity, butincluded in FIG. 4), and together the summits define a plane (referencelabels omitted for clarity, but included in FIG. 4). The bottomsurface's groove 56 has a floor (reference number also omitted forclarity, but included in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6). When the block 44 is placedon another similar block 44 such that the bottom surface 54 of the block44 and the top surface 50 of the other similar block 44 oppose eachother to form an interface region, the groove 56 holds four of thebosses 52, and the groove's floor does not intersect the plane.

With the bosses 52 held by the groove 56, the force generated byfriction between the geogrid 42 and the block 44 that includes thegroove 56, and by friction between the geogrid 42 and the other block 44that includes the bosses 52, is greater than the force generated byfriction between the geogrid 22 (FIG. 1) and the conventional blocks 24(FIG. 1). Because the force generated by friction opposes movement ofthe geogrid 42 relative to the blocks 44, as the force increases itbecomes more difficult for the geogrid to be uncoupled from the wall 40.And with the floor of the groove 56 not intersecting the plane definedby the summits of the bosses 52, more of the geogrid 42 that is placedbetween the blocks 44 contacts the blocks 44 to generate friction.Furthermore, the geogrid 42 can be disposed between a groove 56 of oneblock 44 and the boss 52 of another block 44 and remain flat (not curveto form a bump or mound) as the geogrid 42 extends away from the blocks44.

The force of the friction between the geogrid 42 and the blocks 44 isgreater for a couple of reasons. One, the surface area of the geogrid 42and blocks 44 where the friction is generated is more than the surfacearea of the geogrid 22 (FIG. 1) and conventional blocks 24 (FIG. 1)where friction is generated. This is because the surface area of eachboss 52 is more than the surface area of the boss' footprint on a flatsurface. Because the force generated by the friction between the geogridand the blocks is directly proportional to the surface area where thefriction exists, the force increases as the surface area where thefriction exists increases. Two, because the bosses 52 extend away fromthe top surface 50, when the geogrid is pulled away from the wall 40 andfriction is generated, pressure that tends to pinch or clamp down on theportion of the geogrid 42 is exerted on the geogrid portion disposed inthe groove 56 and contacting the boss 52. Because the force generated byfriction between two surfaces is directly proportional to the force thatcauses the two surface's to contact each other, as the pressure betweenthe geogrid 42, boss 52 and the groove 56 increases, the force generatedby the friction also increases.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the block 46 includes a top surface 58 thatincludes a boss 59 (here four but the block 46 may include more or fewerthan four) and a slot 60; a bottom surface 62 that includes a receptacle64 (here four but the block 46 may include more or fewer than four); andthe coupler 48. When the block 46 is placed on another similar block 46such that the bottom surface 62 of the block 46 and the top surface 58of the other similar block 46 oppose each other to form an interfaceregion, the receptacle 64 holds the boss 52. As discussed in greaterdetail in conjunction with FIGS. 10 and 11, a portion of the coupler 48is inserted through a portion of the geogrid 42 and then into the slot60 to couple the geogrid 42 to the block 46. With the coupler 48inserted into the slot 60, the geogrid 42 can be coupled to a block 46without generating friction between the geogrid 42 and the block 46.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the geogrid 42 can be any desired geogrid.For example in this and certain other embodiments the geogrid 42 isBiaxial Geogrid BX3316 manufactured by Tensar International Corporationthat includes a flame-retardant polypropylene polymer. In otherembodiments, the geogrid 42 can be Sympaforce® 20/20-20 N manufacturedby Synteen & Luckenhaus Textil-Technologie GmbH that includes a PVCcoated polyester polymer.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the wall 40 may also include an anchor 66 tohelp support the wall 40. For example, in this and certain otherembodiments of the wall 40 the anchor 66 includes a cable 67 that isfastened to a block 44 of the wall 40, and a base 68 that is disposed ina hole in the ground. To anchor the wall 40, the cable 67 is alsofastened to the base 68. Such an anchor is discussed in greater detailin U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,200, issued to Mr. Michael L Kelley Jr. on 16Sep. 1997, which is herein incorporated. In this embodiment, the anchor66 exerts a force on the wall 40 in the direction of the arrow 69 whenthe wall requires such force to resist pressure exerted on the wall 40in the opposite direction. In other embodiments, the anchor 66 mayinclude a rod (not shown) that when fastened to the block 44 and base 68can exert a force in the direction of the arrow 69 and in the directionopposite the arrow 69.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the block 44 included in the wall40 shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5is a perspective view of the block 44 that is similar to the block 44shown in FIG. 4, according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG.4 shows the top surface 50 of the block 44, FIG. 3 shows a bottomsurface 54 that may be included with the block 44, and FIG. 5 showsanother embodiment of the bottom surface 54 that may be included withthe block 44.

The block 44 includes a front surface 68, the top surface 50 (FIG. 4),and the bottom surface 54 (FIG. 3 or 5). The top surface 50 includeseight bosses 52, and as previously mentioned, the top surface 50 mayinclude more or fewer than eight bosses 52. Each boss 52 includes asummit 70 that together define a plane 72. The bottom surface 54includes a groove 56 (one in FIG. 3, and two in FIG. 5) that has a floor74. The groove 56 is configured to receive and hold one or more of thebosses 52 and a portion of the geogrid 42, when the block 44 is placedon top of another similar block 44.

Each of the eight bosses 52 may have any desired configuration. Forexample, in this and certain other embodiments, each boss has the sameconfiguration, which includes a square pyramid whose top point has beenomitted to leave a summit 70 that is substantially flat and parallelwith the top surface 50 of the block 44, and located five inches abovethe top surface 50. The slope of the sides of the square pyramid can beany desired slope that ranges from 0° to 60° relative to vertical. Inother embodiments, each boss 52 may have a configuration that isdifferent than some or all of the other bosses 52, such as an oval ortrapezoid pyramid. Furthermore, one or more of the bosses 52 may extendmore or less than five inches from the top surface 50.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, some of the bosses 52 mayinclude a summit 70 that is more or less than five inches above the topsurface 50 of the block 44. An example of such a configuration includesthe four bosses 52 positioned in a line that extends along the length ofthe front surface 68, each having a summit 70 that is six inches abovethe top surface above and the other four bosses 52 positioned alonganother line parallel to the first line, each having a summit 70 that isfive inches above the top surface 50. In such configurations, thesummits 70 of the four bosses 52 positioned in a line that extends alongthe length of the front surface 68 define a second plane, and thesummits 70 of the four bosses 52 positioned along the other lineparallel to the first line define the plane 72.

The groove 56 may also have any desired configuration that receives andholds one or more corresponding bosses 52 in another similar block 44.For example, in this and certain other embodiments, the groove 56includes a flat bottom “V” that extends substantially straight along thelength of the front surface 68, and whose depth—i.e., the location ofthe floor 74 relative to the bottom surface 54—is approximately 5.5inches below the bottom surface 54 and remains substantially constantthe length of its extension. By remaining substantially constant alongthe length of its extension, the floor 74 does not intersect the plane72 when the block 44 is placed on top of another block 44 and the groove56 holds four of the eight bosses 52. In this manner, a geogrid may becoupled along the length of a block 44 and remain flat (not curve toform a bump or mound) as the geogrid extends away from the block 44.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the floor 74 may undulate(not be flat) as the groove extends along the length of the frontsurface 68.

Still referring to FIGS. 3-5, the bosses 52 may be positioned as desiredon the top surface 50. For example, in this and certain otherembodiments, four of the bosses 52 may be positioned in a line thatextends along the length of the front surface 68, and the other fourbosses 52 may extend along another line parallel to the first line. Inthis configuration, the top surface 50 includes two rows of bosses 52.In other embodiments, more or fewer than four bosses 52 may bepositioned in a line that extends along the length of the front surface68. In still other embodiments, two or more bosses may be positioned ina line that extends along the length of the front service and at anangle relative to the front surface.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the bottom surface 54 may also include areceptacle 76 (FIG. 3, here four but may be more or fewer than four), ora second groove 78 (FIG. 5). The receptacle 76 may have any desiredconfiguration that receives and holds a respective one of the bosses 52in another similar block 44. For example, in this and certain otherembodiments the receptacle 76 includes a contour having a square pyramidshape and whose bottom is flat, not pointed. The second groove 78 (FIG.5) may have any desired configuration that receives and holds one ormore corresponding bosses 52 in another similar block 44. For example,in this and certain other embodiments, the groove 78 is similar to thegroove 56. The groove 78 includes a flat bottom “V” that extendssubstantially straight along the length of the front surface 68, andwhose depth—i.e. the location of the groove's floor 80 relative to thebottom surface 54—is also approximately 5.5 inches below the bottomsurface 54 and remains substantially constant the length of itsextension. With second groove 78, the geogrid 42 may be disposed betweenall eight bosses 52 on the top surface 50 (FIG. 4) and in both grooves56 and 78, to more securely couple the geogrid 42 to the blocks 44.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the second groove 78 mayinclude a depth that is more or less than approximately 5.5 inches belowthe bottom surface 54 of the block 44. An example of such aconfiguration includes the second groove 78 having a depth that isapproximately 6.5 inches below the bottom surface 54 of the block 44.This configuration may be desirable to accommodate a block 44 having arow of bosses 52 positioned in a line that extends along the length ofthe front surface 68, with each of the bosses having a summit 70 that issix inches above the top surface 50 and whose summits 70 define a secondplane.

Referring to FIG. 4, the block 44 may also include a grout tube 82(omitted from FIGS. 3 and 5 for clarity) that one can insert a rod (notshown) through and/or fill with grout or cement (also not shown) to addrigidity to a wall, such as wall 40 (FIG. 2). For example, one can placea block 44 on a cement foundation and have one or more of thefoundation's rebars extend from the foundation into the grout tube 82.In this and certain other embodiments, the block 44 includes two grouttubes 82, each extending through the top surface 50, the body of theblock 44 and the bottom surface 54, and each having a diamondcross-section. Furthermore, the grout tubes 82 are positioned in theblock 44 to allow one of the grout tubes 82 in a first block to alignwith another one of the grout tubes 82 in a second block 44 that isplaced on top of the first block 44 when the two blocks are staggeredrelative to each other as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wall shown in FIG.2, illustrating two blocks 44, each shown in shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, anda geogrid 42 coupled to them, according to an embodiment of theinvention. To couple the geogrid 42 to the blocks 44, one firstpositions the lower block 44 in a desired location. Next, one places aregion of the geogrid 42 over one or more of the bosses 52 (here the rowof four bosses 52 that extend along a line substantially parallel to thefront surface 68). Next one places another similar block 44 on top ofthe first block 44 and geogrid 42, such that the groove 56 holds four ofthe bosses 52 and geogrid region, and the four receptacles 76 each holda respective one of the four remaining bosses 52. If a block 44 having abottom surface that also includes the groove 78 is placed on top of theother block 44, then the region of the geogrid that is disposed betweenthe blocks 44 can extend to the edge of the front surface 68.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, holes may be cut into thegeogrid to allow one or more of the bosses 52 to extend through arespective one of the holes. In such an embodiment, the force generatedby friction and the one or more bosses' protrusion through the geogrid42 holds the geogrid 42 to the blocks 44.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the block 46 included in the wall40 shown in FIG. 2, according to another embodiment of the invention.FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the block 46 that is similar to theblock 46 shown in FIG. 7, according to yet another embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 7 shows the top surface 58 of the block 46, FIG. 8 showsa bottom surface 62 that may be included with the block 46, and FIG. 9shows another embodiment of the bottom surface 62 that may be includedwith the block 46.

The block 46 includes the top surface 58 (FIG. 7), the bottom surface 62(FIG. 8 or 9), and the coupler 48 (FIGS. 2, 10 and 11). The top surface58 includes an anterior region 90 that includes a boss 59 (here four butthere may be more or fewer than four), and a posterior region 92 thatincludes a slot 94. The slot 94 is configured to hold the coupler 48when the coupler 48 is inserted into the slot 94. The bottom surface 62has an anterior region 96 that includes a receptacle 98 (four in FIGS. 8and 9, but there may be more or fewer than four). The receptacle 98 isconfigured to hold a corresponding boss 59 when the block 46 is placedon top of another similar block 46.

The slot 94 may be configured as desired to receive and hold the coupler48, and thus, when a portion of the coupler 48 is inserted through ahole (not shown) in the geogrid 42, hold the geogrid 42 to the block 46.For example, in this and certain other embodiments, the slot 94 extendssubstantially straight across the posterior region 92 in a directionthat is perpendicular to the direction of the top surface's anteriorregion 90 from the slot 94. Furthermore, the slot is approximately 1.5inches deep and approximately 0.5 inches wide. In other embodiments, thedepth of slot 94 may be more or less than 1.5 inches, and the width ofthe slot 94 may be more or less than 0.5 inches. In still otherembodiments, the slot 94 may be located in the anterior region 90 of thetop surface 58. In yet other embodiments, the posterior region 92 mayinclude two or more slots 94 positioned side by side and/or fore and aftrelative to each other.

Each of the four bosses 59 may have any desired configuration. Forexample, in this and certain other embodiments, each boss 59 has thesame configuration, which includes a square pyramid whose top point hasbeen omitted to leave a substantially flat and parallel surface with thetop surface 58 of the block 46, and located five inches above the topsurface 58. The slope of the sides of the square pyramid may be anydesired slope that ranges from 0° to 60° relative to vertical. In otherembodiments, each boss 59 may have a configuration that is differentthan some or all of the other bosses 59, such as an oval or trapezoidpyramid. Furthermore, one or more of the bosses 59 may extend more orless than five inches from the top surface 58.

The bosses 59 may be positioned as desired on the top surface 58. Forexample, in this and certain other embodiments, all four of the bosses59 may be positioned adjacent one or two of the other bosses 59 in adirection perpendicular to the direction of the posterior region 92 fromthe bosses 59. In other embodiments, the top surface 58 may include moreor fewer than four bosses 59. In still other embodiments, one or more ofthe bosses 59 may be positioned in the posterior region 92 of the topsurface 58.

The receptacles 98 may be positioned in the bottom surface 62 asdesired, and may have any desired configuration that receives and holdsa respective one of the bosses 59 in another similar block 46. Forexample as shown in FIG. 8, in this and certain other embodiments thereceptacles 98 are all positioned in the anterior region 96 of thebottom surface 62, and each includes a contour having a square pyramidshape and whose bottom is flat, not pointed. In another example shown inFIG. 9, four receptacles 98 are positioned in the anterior region 96 ofthe bottom surface 62, the remaining four receptacles 98 are positionedin the posterior region 100 of the bottom surface 62, and each includesa contour having a square pyramid shape and whose bottom is flat, notpointed.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom surface 54 may also include agroove 102 (FIG. 8). The groove 102 may also have any desiredconfiguration that receives and holds one or more corresponding bosses59 in another similar block 46. For example, in this and certain otherembodiments, the groove 102 is similar to the groove 56 (FIGS. 2, 3 and5). The groove 102 includes a flat bottom “V” that extends substantiallystraight across the posterior region 100 in a direction perpendicular tothe direction of the anterior region 96 from the groove 102 along thelength of the front surface 68, and whose depth—i.e. the location of thefloor 104 relative to the bottom surface 62—is approximately 5.5 inchesbelow the bottom surface 62 and remains substantially constant thelength of its extension. By remaining substantially constant along thelength of its extension, the block 46 can be used in conjunction withthe block 44 to hold a geogrid to the blocks 46 and 44 without requiringthe coupler 48.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the bottom surface 62 mayinclude a second groove in lieu of the four receptacles 98. In suchembodiments the bottom surface 62 would be similar to the bottom surface54 shown in FIG. 5 that includes two grooves.

Referring to FIG. 7, the block 46 may also include a grout tube 106(omitted from FIGS. 8 and 9 for clarity) that one can insert a rod (notshown) through or fill with grout or cement (also not shown) to hold twoor more blocks 46 together. In this and certain other embodiments, theblock 46 includes two grout tubes 106, each extending through the topsurface 58, the body of the block 46 and the bottom surface 62 (FIG. 9),and each having a diamond cross-section. Furthermore, the grout tubes106 are positioned in the block 46 to allow one of the grout tubes 106in a first block to align with another one of the grout tubes 106 in asecond block 46 that is placed on top of the first block 46 when the twoblocks are staggered relative to each other as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wall shown in FIG.2, illustrating two blocks 46, each shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and ageogrid 42 coupled to them, according to another embodiment of theinvention. To couple the geogrid 42 to the blocks 46, one firstpositions the lower block 46 in a desired location. Next, one places aregion of the geogrid 42 over one or more of the bosses 59 (here the rowof four bosses 59 that extend along a line substantially parallel to thefront surface 68). Next, one inserts the coupler 48 into a hole (notshown) in the geogrid 42. Then, one inserts the coupler 48 into the slot94. As discussed in greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 11, thecoupler 48 is designed to be inserted into the slot 94 with lesspressure than the pressure required to withdraw the coupler 48 from theslot 94. When a force is exerted on the geogrid 42 in a direction awayfrom the blocks 46, the coupler 48 holds the geogrid 42 to resist thegeogrid's movement, and the slot 94 holds the coupler 48 to resist inthe coupler's movement.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, two or more couplers may beinserted side by side into the slot 94. Or, two or more slots 94 mayexist in the top surface 58 of the block 46 and a respective one of acorresponding number of couplers 48 may be inserted into a respectiveone of the slots 94.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the coupler 48 shown in FIGS. 2 and 10,according to an embodiment of the invention. The coupler 48 includes abody 110 (here two shown), an end 112 (here five shown) that extendsaway from the body, and a bridge 114 that connects the body 110 to otherbodies 110 of the coupler 48. To hold the geogrid 42 (FIG. 10) to theblock 46 (FIG. 10), the bodies 110 are inserted into a respective one ormore holes in the geogrid 42, and then the bodies 110 are inserted intothe slot 94. When the bodies are inserted into the slot 94, the ends 112contact the walls of the slot 94 and exert pressure against them. Tomake the bodies 110 easier to insert into the slot 94 than to withdrawfrom the slot, the ends 112 are configured to resist sliding across thewalls of the slot 94 when pressure is exerted on the coupler 48 thaturges the coupler 48 out of the slot 94.

The coupler may be configured as desired. For example, in this andcertain other embodiments, the coupler 48 extends the length of thecorresponding slot 94 in the block 46, and has a body 110 positioned inone inch intervals along the length of the coupler 48. Each body 110 isrectangular in shape and a quarter of an inch thick, half an inch wide,and three quarters of an inch long. Each body 110 also includes threeends 112 on each side, and each end 112 includes a scalene triangleprofile.

What is claimed is:
 1. A block that can be combined with other similarblocks to form a wall, the block comprising: a front surface; a topsurface including a plurality of bosses, two or more of which arelocated adjacent each other in a direction along the rear surface,wherein each of the two or more bosses includes a side and a summit,wherein the side of each of the two or more bosses has a slope thatranges from 5° to 60° relative to vertical, and wherein the summit ofeach of the two or more bosses define a plane; and a bottom surfaceincluding a groove that has a floor, wherein the groove is configured toreceive and hold a portion of a geogrid with the two or more bosses ofanother similar block, and wherein when the block is placed on anothersimilar block such that the bottom surface of the block and a topsurface of the other similar block oppose each other to form aninterface region, the groove holds two or more bosses of the othersimilar block that are included in the other similar block's topsurface, and prevents the two or more bosses of the other similar blockfrom sliding out from under the floor, and the floor does not intersectthe plane defined by the summits of the two or more bosses of the othersimilar block.
 2. The block of claim 1 wherein the block includesconcrete.
 3. The block of claim 1 wherein the two or more bosses locatedadjacent each other includes four bosses.
 4. The block of claim 1wherein the bottom surface also includes a receptacle, wherein when theblock is placed on another similar block such that the bottom surface ofthe block and the top surface of the other similar block oppose eachother to form an interface region, the receptacle holds a boss of theother similar block's top surface that is located along the othersimilar block's rear surface.
 5. The block of claim 1 wherein the grooveextends substantially along the length of the rear surface.
 6. The blockof claim 1 wherein one or more of the plurality of bosses is arectangular box.
 7. The block of claim 1 wherein the block furthercomprises a grout tube that extends through the top and bottom surfacesof the block.